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Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Good 'Ol Boy Tells Jets No Thanks

Here is something you don't hear everyday. Supposed you were offered a chance to play in the NFL, even if it is with the NY Jets, and instead of packing your bags and heading north you decided that your day job was just fine and no thanks.

The former Lovejoy High star thought about the steady job he'd landed three months ago as a Norfolk Southern railroad conductor, a job he loves. He thought about his disabled father who cannot work and his mother, who's "pulling a big load." He thought about the three times NFL teams released him.

And he said no.

Keith Fitzhugh has had a nibble at the NFL on a couple of occasions. He had been signed and cut by both the Jets and the Ravens previously, so he knew what the NFL was all about. Even at the league minimum salary he would be making more then his job with the railroad, but he got to looking down the road and decided where he was and what he was doing right now wasn't worth throwing away for a few more moments of possible glory on Sunday's. He also pointed out that the players are already talking about going on strike next year anyway.

The Jets, who lost two safeties in four days to injury, called the 24-year-old Fitzhugh Tuesday morning.

He had signed with them as a free agent in May 2009, after a fine career at Mississippi State. The Jets later cut him and signed him to their practice squad, then Baltimore signed him last December. He spent the playoffs with the Ravens, who released him in May. The Jets signed him during training camp and waived him 11 days later.

He sounds like a guy who has his priorities in life well aligned. I wish him much happiness and success.

BTW the Jets are one of the few teams in the AFC with a winning record this year.